The World of Courtesans c11.2

c11.2

FROM THE LITERARY evidences available to us mediaeval Kashmir seems to have been a land of pleasure where courtesans plied their trade freely. It appears that the rulers of Kashmir were far from unwilling to enjoy their company. It is mentioned in the *Rājataraṅgiṇī*, that king Jayāpīḍa (751-782 A.D.) in the course of his expeditions visited Puṇḍravardhana where he went to the temple of Kārtikeya to witness the dance of Kamala who performed it after the manner prescribed by Bharata. While he was seated at the temple gate, the dancing girl Kamala saw him and offered him betel leaves and persuaded him to go to her house